Marquis

Marquis is the tenth rank of the Imperial aristocracy, and the last of the lesser Nobles. The female version of the title is Marquess. A Marquis rules a sprawling March, which spans numerous Arlings ruled by Lords. Overall a March consists of some three to five hundred systems.

Expectations
Marquises are the trademasters and noble merchants of the Empire. The period where they or their predecessors conquered territory as a Lord is still fresh in their history, and they have usually settled down to a more comfortable and passive role. Most often, Marquises seek to develop their March into the most cultured and prestigious region they can.

Marquises build Academies, Hospitals, Shipyards, and Fortresses. They often get involved in "building wars" with other Marquises and seek to have the tallest tower, the most well-regarded university, and so on. They are also well-known for their sponsorship of research, and it is by this path that they most often rise to the much-vaunted rank of Duke.

When a Marquis personally funds a full research conglomerate that develops some great new technological advance for the benefit of the entire Empire, they traditionally ascend to Duke and gain vast territory as a result. Since Dukes are the first rank at which grand political schemes are set in motion, it is almost ironic that one must benefit the whole Empire before they can benefit their own schemes.